Did you know that your plastic packaging order may qualify for Drug Plastics’ Humanity First Program? During a crisis, such as COVID-19, this program gives priority to life-saving medications and critical supplies needed to address the crisis. These packaging orders are moved to the front of the line and produced ahead of our regular orders.
Our Founder, Fred Biesecker, realized that when national crises occur, it’s not “business as usual.” Many of our customers produce critical, life-saving medications and other products which are essential during an emergency. These important items must continue to be manufactured in order to save lives. And, since plastic packaging is a vital part of their supply chain, Fred knew we had to help. Hence, the Humanity First Program was created.
The Foundation of Humanity First
The Humanity First Program was developed to allow packaging orders for critical medications or supplies to move to the front of the production line. Plastic packaging orders that qualify for this program are those for drugs that are in clinical trials with the FDA, awaiting CDC approval, vaccines, medications that relieve major symptoms of a disease (such as COVID-19), and maintenance drugs for underlying conditions that provide alternate treatment methods for patients. Packaging orders for medications, like intubation drugs for ventilator patients, and protective supplies that are used to prevent contamination or disinfect contaminated surfaces also qualify.
Over the last 20 years, The Humanity First Program was activated twice: after 9/11 during the Anthrax scare, and then again during the H1N1 virus outbreak in 2009. As we find ourselves, our country, and the world fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Drug Plastics has once again activated the Humanity First Program. This program would not succeed without the support of our customers. So far, we have received several requests for priority order treatment from our customers. These requests range from possible life-saving drugs and medications to in-demand products such as hand sanitizer.
Humanity First in Action
We are working with two pharmaceutical companies to supply packaging for different drugs in clinical trials believed to be effective in treating the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, we are manufacturing bottles and closures for customers making the Malaria/Lupus drug, Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate, which the FDA has recently approved an ANDA for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
In times like these, we realize the importance of flexibility. Although our plastic bottles and closures are utilized mainly for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cannabis products, we are re-engineering some of our packages and diverting production in order to support other industries that are helping to fight COVID-19 – some that have converted their own manufacturing processes to products they don’t normally make. For instance, many distilleries have switched from making alcoholic beverages like vodka, whiskey, and rum to producing hand sanitizer.
The Pennsylvania Distillers Guild is helping smaller distilleries across the state by centralizing their power to purchase the supplies (hydrogen peroxide and ethanol) needed to make hand 
sanitizer. Drug Plastics has partnered with the Guild to produce 1.3 million bottles that will be used for the hand sanitizer. We will also supply plastic closures and orifice reducers, which allow a controlled amount of sanitizer to be dispensed. The Pennsylvania Department of Health approved the package for use by mail carriers. Our partnership will help enable distillers to distribute sanitizer directly to many local Pennsylvania communities and organizations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and beyond.
Thank You for Your Support
Because of the unwavering support received from our customers, we are able to continue to supply plastic packaging for possible life-saving medications and critical supplies for local communities quickly through the Humanity First Program. Your understanding is greatly appreciated as these critical orders are moved to the head of our production lines. We want to take this opportunity to thank you, our customers and friends, for supporting our efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
Drug Plastics is fortunate that our supply chain remains open and we’re getting all of the materials we need to fulfill these special orders, as well as our regular production orders for our core customers. All eight of our production facilities are operating at full capacity, as we have been deemed critical to life-sustaining businesses. As a company, and as a nation, we will overcome this challenging time.
To see if your packaging order qualifies for the Humanity First Program, please call 610-367-5000. We’re all in this together!
